Casey Secures $2 Million Federal Grant to Improve SEPTA Buses and Bus Facilities

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he successfully worked to secure a $2 million grant for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. SEPTA will use this funding to advance the next phase of its Direct Bus service in the City of Philadelphia, building on the success of the first phase launched in October 2017.

This new phase of Direct Bus will provide enhanced bus service between Frankford Transportation Center and Wissahickon Transportation Center, along Roosevelt Boulevard and Hunting Park and Ridge Avenues. In addition to improving regional mobility and access for the thousands of SEPTA customers that travel these routes, this next phase of Boulevard Direct bus service will also advance the ongoing efforts of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and SEPTA to improve safety on Roosevelt Boulevard.

“I am pleased that SEPTA received this grant to make necessary improvements and further develop Direct Bus service," said Senator Casey. “The funding will allow SEPTA to construct new bus stations and connect high capacity transit centers, which will reduce travel times and increase service reliability. I was proud to advocate on behalf of SEPTA in their efforts to secure this grant and will continue to make transportation and economic development in Pennsylvania top priorities.”

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities including technological changes or innovations to modify low or no emission vehicles or facilities. Casey wrote a letter of support to the DOT’s Federal Transit Administration to emphasize the need to expand and improve bus service in Philadelphia.

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